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Mark Michael Campanella, experienced Business, Estate Planning attorney in Fairport, NY with 45 reviews
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38,62
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4.5/5
Avvo
5.0
7 Reviews
Google Maps
4.4
38 Reviews
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11 Nov, 2024 by Rachel hildreth
Mr. Hartt delivers on his promise of experience, value/risk driven results for the optimal benefit of his clients, in a financially responsible manner. Throughout my case, Mr. Hartt responded quickly, provided the information needed, and did so in a empathetic way. When it came to the time that I would need to testify, I was fully prepared and supported. I would highly recommend Mr. Hartt, to any person seeking justice within the workplace.
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06 Nov, 2024 by Savannah willis
I was in fear of losing my job. I spoke with James Hart he gave me my options. He was very helpful in understanding how to go about filing. He always responds promptly! This was my first experience hiring a lawyer and I’m so glad it was JAMES! Highly recommended !!!!
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01 Oct, 2024 by Brittany archibald
I have nothing but great things to say about Mr. Hartt. He listened to me and made me a priority. He actually fights for his clients. Mr. Hartt explained the entire process in detail. I recommend him and his assistant Mary Ann is wonderful.
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Todd Whitney Gustafson, experienced Estate Planning, Probate attorney in Fairport, NY with 4 reviews
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32,90
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4.7/5
Google Maps
4.7
4 Reviews
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21 Sep, 2023 by Ken & gail francis
Google Maps
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09 Aug, 2023 by Ronald schutt
He did a great job on assisting us with our wills! Good guy!
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29 Aug, 2020 by L js
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Fauna Michelle Pappalardo, experienced Estate Planning, Family Law attorney in Fairport, NY with 3 reviews
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Lawyer credibility rating system is an internal lawyer evaluation system developed by the company based on a comprehensive analysis of more than 10 indicators. The rating can range from 0 to 100.
32,20
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4.6/5
Google Maps
4.6
3 Reviews
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20 Jan, 2023 by Shelli w
So disappointed he is retiring. He had been amazing!
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08 May, 2020 by El tejedas
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29 Jan, 2018 by Fauna pappalardo
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Vincent Michael Barone, experienced Estate Planning, Family Law attorney in Fairport, NY with 3 reviews
Below Average
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19,04
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3.6/5
Avvo
3.6
3 Reviews
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09 Nov, 2018 by Dave & lauri
After our long time lawyer, George Wolf, retired and returned our papers, he gave us Vincent's name as an option to work with. We initiated that relationship to re-do all of our personal paperwork (wills, power of attorney, etc.). He with his assistant, Nicole, prepared all of these documents, reviewed them with us, and maintains a copy of file in his office. This week, we had an unusual letter in the mail from lawyers in California, stating that we had a security refund that they would process for us for a 15% fee. Vincent reviewed this letter and advised us that we could go online and do it ourselves, which we did... at no cost to us.
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17 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
Mr. Barone has worked with my family on legal matters for years and has always been trustworthy and reliable. He put us at ease and made sure any questions we had were answered. I would highly recommend Barone Law Offices and continue to use their services in the future.
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31 Dec, 2015 by Anonymous
Paid large upfront fee, was told verbally and in contract that I would be informed of any additional fees in writing and money would need to be added to acct to be drawn on. Was also told the initial upfront fee would cover the cost of what I needed done. He made several careless mistakes in a divorce agreement that I had to call about and was charges for those calls...waited in waiting room 30 min for an appointment that I was also charged for. Case was dropped in the middle, no court involvement at all and still was charged in the end another 1500$.... Charges were not valid and I was never notified of any additional charged till I dropped the case. He didn't hold his end of the contract and over billed me for bogus inflated charges. He also told me it would take a couple weeks just to draw up divorce papers and two months later I had to call and ask what was going on, which I was charged for. His excuse was training a new employee. He is dishonest and deceitful. Find someone else.
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Robert Mitchell Place, experienced Estate Planning, Family Law attorney in Fairport, NY with 2 reviews
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Lawyer credibility rating system is an internal lawyer evaluation system developed by the company based on a comprehensive analysis of more than 10 indicators. The rating can range from 0 to 100.
16,29
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3.0/5
Avvo
3.0
2 Reviews
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22 Mar, 2012 by Brian
Place & Arnold handled the will and estate for my grandmother under direction of my uncle (her son). Unfortunately my uncle's desire was to prevent an update to grandmother's will that would reduce his portion of the inheritance, and Place & Arnold assisted this by delaying the execution of the updated will. Upon her death, Place & Arnold sent out forms to be signed by various family members that effectively agreed to relinquish any rights we had in the manner, they gave inaccurate advice regarding New York State law around family rights (verified by my own attorney) and even resorted to attempts towards intimidation when we were reluctant to sign such documents. Be very cautious when dealing with Place & Arnold; they have demonstrated questionable ethics.
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13 Jun, 2007 by Anonymous
As I am moving through the divorce process, I have found my experience with Robert Place to be nothing but positive. His knowledge and approachability are his assets. He has a "keep it real" attitude that has helped me stay focused on what's really important. He reminds me not to sweat the small stuff and keep the big picture in mind.
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George Alphonse Schell Jr., experienced Business, Estate Planning attorney in Fairport, NY with 5 reviews
Below Average
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Lawyer credibility rating system is an internal lawyer evaluation system developed by the company based on a comprehensive analysis of more than 10 indicators. The rating can range from 0 to 100.
14,53
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2.6/5
Avvo
2.6
5 Reviews
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28 Jan, 2024 by Donna hurst
We met with Mr Schell about rewriting our will. He took possession of our existing will and we waited for notification to go into the office and sign the new will. That never happened! We tried calling the office, emailing and writing that we wanted our existing will returned, but never got a response. At first we assumed that we was ill, or that some other event was keeping him from responding. After s couple of months and no way to contact him or get a response from his office, we gave up. We had no copy of the will he kept, snd no way to get it returned to us. A nasty experience!
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17 Sep, 2021 by Anonymous
They have not returned my $250 deposit for a water bill (that never exceeded $85 every 3mo) and have not refunded my $40 over payment on my homeowners ins. I’ve made several attempts to reach them by email and they simply chose to ignore !! My house closed back in April and here it is September !!
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03 Jan, 2018 by Steve
My wife and I used George and his office to sell our existing home and purchase our new house. We were very happy with the level of communication we received and with his efforts on our behalf. George and his assistant, Kerry, helped us deal with multiple issues caused by difficult sellers. We felt fortunate to work with George and Kerry and recommend them without reservation.
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J Mark Krause, experienced Criminal Defense, Estate Planning attorney in Fairport, NY with 5 reviews
Below Average
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Lawyer credibility rating system is an internal lawyer evaluation system developed by the company based on a comprehensive analysis of more than 10 indicators. The rating can range from 0 to 100.
9,98
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1.6/5
Avvo
1.6
5 Reviews
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11 May, 2016 by Anonymous
Ex-wife filed for divorce in the middle of 2015. Went out looking for a lawyer and was ultimately referred to Mr. Krause. I met with him. I asked numerous questions during this meeting and had a lot of concerns about kids, property, financials, retirement, and so on. Mr. Krause had answers to all of my questions and provided information on how the divorce was going to proceed and what outcomes to expect. Ultimately I retained him as my lawyer. It is now approximately 9 months later and I can tell you that everything Mr. Krause stated in our first meeting came true. The process was exactly like Mr. Krause told me on that first meeting. The challenges that were faced along the way were exactly as we had discussed so long ago. The time it takes for a divorce to occur is long and there are many items which need to be addressed. This takes time and because of this there were periods that Mr. Krause and I didn't speak. This was not due to Mr. Krause, it was due to the process. This was my first divorce so I have no other lawyers to compare Mr. Krause to. I can say that he is extremely knowledgeable, fair, and "tells it like it is". If this is what you are looking for, then I would recommend Mr. Krause.
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19 Oct, 2015 by Anonymous
Was very poor during time of hire. Only time anything was done is when I called and complained. Asked for bill after nearly six months and there was not one prepared. When asked for bill a comment made "I can't drop everything and do that." When returning back inside I in turn dismissed him. A bill was finally ready in less than an hour. This was after walking in and commenting that I have been waiting for something to get done. As leaving he finally asked for the file to work in it. Extremely unprofessional and bad attitude after hire. During consult is respectful. would nit suggest to hire.
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10 May, 2015 by Anonymous
After hiring Mark for another legal matter years ago(which then he was great) I quickly retained him when my wife filed for divorce. He is very slow to return calls(have waited months to get in contact with him or his secretary. Gave me poor advice on more than on occasion, and my concerns with the lack of progress regarding the divorce or child custody have been downright ignored. My UNCONTESTED divorce has been in "limbo" for over a year now. I dismissed him as my attorney and hired another with an excellent reputation. Maybe he is great in other aspects of the law, but would not recommend him for divorce or family matters.
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Betsy Davis Brugg, experienced Estate Planning, Real Estate attorney in Fairport, NY with 0 reviews
Below Average
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Lawyer credibility rating system is an internal lawyer evaluation system developed by the company based on a comprehensive analysis of more than 10 indicators. The rating can range from 0 to 100.
4,00
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0.0/5
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Kenneth John Aufsesser, experienced Business, Estate Planning attorney in Fairport, NY with 0 reviews
Below Average
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0,00
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0.0/5
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Robert Gordon Genthner, experienced Business, Estate Planning attorney in Fairport, NY with 0 reviews
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0,00
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0.0/5
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Julie M. Grogan, experienced Business, Estate Planning attorney in Fairport, NY with 0 reviews
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Lawyer credibility rating system is an internal lawyer evaluation system developed by the company based on a comprehensive analysis of more than 10 indicators. The rating can range from 0 to 100.
0,00
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0.0/5
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George Trexler Wolf, experienced Business, Estate Planning attorney in Fairport, NY with 0 reviews
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0,00
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0.0/5
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Albert G. Krenitsky, experienced Business, Estate Planning attorney in Fairport, NY with 0 reviews
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0,00
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0.0/5
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What an Estate Planning Lawyer Can Do for You

An estate planning lawyer helps individuals plan for the management and distribution of their assets after death or during incapacitation. Their services involve drafting important legal documents, such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Estate planning attorneys work to ensure that your assets are transferred according to your wishes, minimize tax liabilities, and avoid probate court. They also help clients plan for potential long-term care needs and protect their estate from being diminished by healthcare costs.

By working with an estate planning lawyer, you can have peace of mind knowing that your loved ones will be cared for and that your estate will be managed efficiently and according to your desires.

When Should I Hire an Estate Planning Lawyer?

Hiring an estate planning lawyer is beneficial in many situations, especially when you want to ensure that your assets are handled properly after death. Common reasons to hire an estate planning lawyer include:

  • Drafting a will: If you want to clearly define how your assets will be distributed after death, an attorney can draft a legally sound will.
  • Creating a trust: For those looking to avoid probate or provide for loved ones over time, setting up a trust can help manage the distribution of assets.
  • Planning for incapacity: An estate lawyer can help draft powers of attorney and healthcare directives so that your financial and medical decisions are made by someone you trust if you become incapacitated.
  • Minimizing estate taxes: If your estate is large, a lawyer can help create strategies to reduce or eliminate federal and state estate taxes.
  • Special circumstances: If you have minor children, blended families, or complex assets like businesses, an estate planning lawyer can create tailored solutions.
  • Guardianship or conservatorship: If you want to designate guardians for minor children or ensure proper care for incapacitated adults, an attorney can help.

Hiring an estate planning lawyer is especially important if your estate is complex or if you want to ensure that your wishes are properly followed.

What Does an Estate Planning Lawyer Do?

An estate planning lawyer provides a range of services designed to help you organize your affairs and ensure your estate is managed according to your wishes. They can:

  • Draft wills and trusts: Creating legally binding documents that dictate how your assets will be distributed and managed.
  • Create powers of attorney and healthcare directives: Appointing someone to make financial or medical decisions for you if you become incapacitated.
  • Minimize taxes: Developing strategies to reduce estate taxes, gift taxes, and other financial liabilities for your heirs.
  • Help avoid probate: Structuring your estate plan to avoid probate, which can save time and money for your beneficiaries.
  • Advise on long-term care planning: Helping you plan for potential healthcare needs in the future, including Medicaid planning and protecting assets from being depleted by nursing home costs.
  • Assist with beneficiary designations: Ensuring that life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and other financial instruments are correctly designated.
  • Handle probate and estate administration: If a loved one has passed away, an estate planning lawyer can help guide you through the probate process or act as an executor.

How Are Estate Planning Lawyers Paid?

Estate planning lawyers typically charge for their services in one of several ways, depending on the complexity of your estate and the type of services you need. Common payment structures include:

  • Flat fee: Many estate planning services, such as drafting a will or trust, are charged on a flat-fee basis. The fee covers all work related to preparing the document.
  • Hourly rate: For more complex planning, such as estate tax strategy or trust administration, lawyers may charge by the hour. Rates vary based on the lawyer’s experience and location.
  • Retainer: Some lawyers require a retainer for more complex cases, such as ongoing trust management or estate administration. The retainer is an upfront payment that covers future legal services.

It’s important to discuss fees with your lawyer upfront to avoid unexpected costs.

How Much Does an Estate Planning Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring an estate planning lawyer depends on the complexity of your estate and the services you require. Here are some general guidelines:

  • Simple wills or powers of attorney: A straightforward will or power of attorney may cost between $300 and $1,500, depending on your location and the lawyer’s experience.
  • Trust creation: Establishing a trust, such as a living trust or revocable trust, can cost between $1,000 and $3,000 or more, depending on the complexity of your assets and estate planning needs.
  • Comprehensive estate planning packages: Some lawyers offer packages that include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, which may range from $2,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on the estate’s complexity.
  • Hourly rates: For ongoing services like estate administration or tax planning, lawyers may charge hourly rates ranging from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience.

Always get a clear estimate of costs during your initial consultation to ensure the services fit within your budget.

Top Questions to Ask an Estate Planning Lawyer

Before hiring an estate planning lawyer, it’s important to ask questions to ensure they are the right fit for your needs. Here are key questions to ask during your consultation:

  1. What is your experience with estate planning?
    Ensure the lawyer has substantial experience drafting wills, creating trusts, and handling other estate planning services.
  2. How will you charge for your services?
    Clarify whether the lawyer charges a flat fee or by the hour and ask for a detailed estimate of costs.
  3. What strategies do you recommend for my estate?
    A good lawyer should be able to explain the best strategies for minimizing taxes, avoiding probate, and ensuring your assets are distributed according to your wishes.
  4. How often should I update my estate plan?
    Ask how frequently you should revisit your estate plan, especially if your financial situation or family dynamics change.
  5. Do you offer ongoing support or updates?
    Some lawyers provide periodic reviews or updates to ensure your estate plan stays current with changes in your circumstances or the law.
  6. How will you help my beneficiaries if something happens to me?
    Ensure the lawyer is willing to guide your heirs through the estate administration process or help manage your trust after you’re gone.

How to Check the Credibility of an Estate Planning Lawyer

To ensure you’re hiring a credible estate planning lawyer, follow these steps:

  • Verify their state bar license: Check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing, with no history of disciplinary actions.
  • Look for estate planning certifications: Some lawyers are certified as estate planning specialists, which indicates they have extensive knowledge in this area of law.
  • Read client reviews and testimonials: Online reviews on sites like Avvo, Google, or Martindale-Hubbell can provide insight into the lawyer’s professionalism and client satisfaction.
  • Ask for references: A credible lawyer should be able to provide references from previous clients who can speak to their expertise and client service.
  • Check for membership in professional organizations: Lawyers who are members of organizations like the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) or the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) often have a strong reputation in the field.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To get the most out of your first meeting with an estate planning lawyer, it’s important to come prepared. Here’s what you should bring:

  • List of assets and liabilities: Provide a detailed inventory of your assets, including real estate, bank accounts, retirement funds, investments, and personal property, as well as any debts you may have.
  • List of beneficiaries: Be ready to discuss who you want to receive your assets and in what proportions. This includes naming guardians for minor children if applicable.
  • Existing estate documents: Bring copies of any existing wills, trusts, powers of attorney, or other relevant estate planning documents.
  • Questions about your estate goals: Write down your goals, such as avoiding probate, reducing taxes, or setting up charitable donations, so your lawyer can tailor a plan to meet your needs.
  • Information on medical and financial decision-makers: Be prepared to discuss who you want to appoint for healthcare and financial decisions if you become incapacitated.

By being well-prepared, you can ensure a productive consultation and begin building a comprehensive estate plan that meets your needs and protects your loved ones.

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